Former Indian cricketer R Ashwin has lauded the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Devdutt Padkikal and has recommended his name for the number 3 spot in India’s Test team, after the team’s victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders in Raipur.
Padikkal came into the IPL on the back of fantastic numbers in the domestic circuit. With 725 runs at a whopping 90.62 average, he was the second-highest run scorer in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He carried this form into the later leg of the Ranji Trophy, scoring
543 runs at an average of 60.33 in Karnataka’s run to the final. This included a mammoth 232 in the semifinal against Uttarakhand, batting at number 3.
Ashwin has stated that he wishes to see Padikkal given a long run with the Test team on the back of his performances in the longer formats in the domestic game and the IPL. He spoke of the vast improvement in the southpaw’s technique and game against spinners, improving his footwork and game under the tutelage of RCB batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik
"I want Devdutt Padikkal to be India's No. 3 in Test cricket. He has batted so well, and he deserves to be an incumbent Test player for India. He should be given a long-term chance," said Ashwin, in a video on his YouTube channel.
"If you look at his sixes, it is all about the timing. When I see his batting, I feel that there is a little bit of Dinesh Karthik's imprint. He is very proactive against spinners. He was there with me in RR, and at the time, he used to play spinners on the back foot. Now, he plays the reverse sweep and sweep. He also has the feet usage," he added.
Padikkal has made two appearances for the Indian team in Test cricket. He made his debut in the fifth Test against England in Dharamshala in early 2024, scoring a well-made 65 as India won by an innings. His next appearance came against Australia in Perth in November that year, where, batting at number 3, he managed scores of 0 and 25.
The former off-spinner expressed his views about players' form in the IPL, which he credited as the reason behind Sai Sudharsan getting the nod over Padikkal at number 3. Notably, Sudharsan won the Orange cap in the 2025 IPL, and Ashwin reckoned that IPL form helps breaking into the Indian team much easier.
"Padikkal was the front runner in the race for Test cricket team, but Sai Sudharsan surpassed him. Sudharsan is also a good player, but he batted ahead of Padikkal. How did he get that opportunity? Because he was the Orange Cap holder in IPL. Whether it is right or wrong, if you perform in IPL along with First-Class cricket, your selection becomes much more easier. But I am happy, Padikkal's talent and ability is coming out this season," (sic) Ashwin concluded.
Padikkal has gone through the 2026 IPL season in a rich vein of form for the defending champions, scoring 367 runs at a strike rate of 172.30. He has three half-centuries, with his highest being a marvellous 61 off just 26 balls, coming against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening game of the season.
